Prominent Nigerian filmmaker Prince Daniel (ABOKI) has addressed recent media reports suggesting that he faced rejection in Kannywood due to his religion and in Nollywood because of his northern roots. In an official statement released to the public, the director of *Mai Martaba* unequivocally denied these claims and sought to set the record straight.
“My attention has been drawn to some publications with headlines suggesting that Kannywood rejected me because of my religion, and Nollywood because of my region,” Prince Daniel stated. He clarified that he had not granted any interviews to any newspaper or publication regarding the matter.
Providing context, Prince Daniel explained that the misunderstanding may have stemmed from remarks he made during a question-and-answer session at Nollywood in Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, earlier this month. He described how, while discussing the challenges faced during the making of *Mai Martaba* and its journey to the Oscars, he had touched upon issues such as insecurity in the North-West, financial constraints, and the complexities of navigating Nigeria’s segmented film industry.
According to Prince Daniel, he had mentioned feeling caught between the perception of Kannywood viewing his work as Nollywood and Nollywood identifying it as Kannywood, due to his northern background. “This explanation was made with the best of intentions—to help the audience in the room understand the segmentation of the industry in Nigeria and how challenging it was for us at the time,” he explained.
He emphasized that his comment was misunderstood and clarified his relationship with Kannywood. “For clarity, Kannywood has never rejected me on the basis of ethnicity or religion. In fact, it has been my greatest pillar of support as a filmmaker,” Prince Daniel affirmed, citing the overwhelming support he received from audiences and industry practitioners during *Mai Martaba*’s cinema exposure.
Prince Daniel expressed gratitude for the inclusive environment within Kannywood, where he has practiced his craft and enjoyed immense support without prejudice. “I say with every sense of responsibility that I am a Nigerian filmmaker, though of northern extraction. I reside in Kano, where I practice my craft, springboarding from Kannywood,” he added.
Looking ahead, the filmmaker reiterated his commitment to working with his colleagues and the founding fathers of Kannywood to elevate the industry’s standards. He underscored his mission to share northern stories with the world and create employment opportunities for youth, challenging stereotypical narratives that associate the North with conflict and banditry.
Prince Daniel concluded by reaffirming his dedication to fostering unity and excellence within Nigeria’s film industry. “I remain committed to working with my colleagues and the founding fathers of Kannywood to elevate the standard of our industry—telling our stories to the world and creating employment opportunities for our youth,” he stated.
Prince Daniel’s statement serves as a clarion call for collaboration and progress in the Nigerian film industry, celebrating the diversity and richness of the nation’s cultural narratives.
